The Qatar head coach responded at full-time by suggesting the 39-year-old could become a lucky charm.

"I'm going to call [Xavi] and tell him to predict all the next games just to make sure that we know what's going to happen in the future," former Barca youth coach Sanchez said.

"With regards to Xavi, he is a great person and he is supporting us a lot. I'm very happy also for him."

Sanchez was delighted with both sides of Qatar's game as they excelled in attack in the opening period before standing firm after Takumi Minamino breached their defence for the first time in the tournament.

"In the first half, we played very well. In the second half, we had to defend a lot because obviously they want to win the title as well. It was a very tough game. We suffered and we know how to suffer.

Article continues below

"I'm very happy for the players and all of the people in Qatar who have supported us from the beginning. It's very well deserved. I'm very happy. I have no words."

Qatar will look to follow up their success in the Asian Cup when they travel to Brazil as a guest nation for the 2019 Copa America this summer.

There they will face off in Group B against the likes of Paraguay, Colombia and Argentina, with the latter likely featuring Xavi's old Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi.